Ach, getting lost in the countryside is half the fun – it’s how a lot of historic monuments and such are found. As long as you’re careful, and obey the Countryside Code, it should be fine.

As for the cows, they were probably aware of you as a human, thus possibly bringing treats, or planning to herd them to fresh pasture, but didn’t recognise you, so moved up, cautiously, to investigate.

I’ve seen it myself on numerous occasions. On one occasion, at home, back in t’ day, I boosted myself onto the fence at the western side of the homestead, to get a look out for the family car coming along the road, and saw the cows at the other side of the large pasture. I turned around at the sound of our neighbours’ van turning and turned back to find the cows at the near corner (within arm’s reach for the nearest). If you spend your life next to someone else’s livestock, you get used to the ninjing of cows. Horses do it too.